My dad just got a Suzuki cruiser (like an C50 or something 800cc) and after taking his safety class and putting some decent mileage on the bike he realized that he doesn't really have anyone to ride with, and my mom won't ride on it w/ him cause she's too nervous. So he and I have been talking about picking up a bike for me to ride along with him. He wants somethin reasonably new w/ low mileage for the reliability factor, and he also prefers to stick w/ Suzuki because the research he did while looking for his bike caused him to prefer them over other companies. I've always wanted a GSX-R, but didn't really see the option of purchasing a bike and staying on speaking terms w/ my mom a reality, but now that my dad has broken through and got his bike, she's more understanding as long as I start off only riding with him after my saftey course.

So now that i've pretty much made up my mind on picking up the gixxer, i'm trying to make sure I have as much knowledge about them as possible to make sure I make a good purchase. What were the largest changes in the bike between the model years? Which years had more gremlins than others, and what years have people had the most luck with? 600 is the largest I want to go, so any issues affecting the 750s or 1000s aren't really neccessary.

Thanks for the help.


Modified by turbotuner20v at 8:42 AM 7/20/2005

 

04+ gixxers>all other gixxers

 

i love my 03

 

i think they are ugly as hell until they changed the headlights in like 04 i think it was. my brothers 02 is ugly

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by STEV3-O &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">04+ gixxers&gt;all other gixxers </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

so the biggest changes from say '01 to '05 have been mostly cosmetic? I don't know if i'll be able to swing an '04... i'm guessing they're still gonna be holding value pretty well.

 

In 04 they got USD forks and radial brakes. I think it got a damper also.

 

01-03 had a damper too

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bikez.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Introducing the all-new 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600 lighter, better-handling, stronger, it delivers the best power-to-weight ratio in its class. With performance features straight from our factory racing department, the newest GSX-R600 features titanium valves, inverted forks, and radial-mount brakes and master cylinder. Add to that an aggressive new aerodynamic package, a powerful new digital fuel-injection system and a state-of-the-art engine management system with even more power than before, and you´ve got a machine with one goal: Winning. </TD></TR></TABLE>

this is what I found online now that i know there was a cut-off around '04 for the major changes. Does anyone know what the cut-off was for the older models? Like '99/'00?

nevermind, looks like 2000/2001 was the change.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by arjusmc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">01-03 had a damper too</TD></TR></TABLE>
Cool, I wasn't sure exactly when the 600 got the damper.

 

seems that '01-'03 are pretty much all the same

and '04+ has a slightly new style and more power

Is the '04 so much better that it would be worth the extra money to pick one up opposed to finding a cheaper '01/'02?

 

Yeah, I would think so...The 04+ make the older years look...well, old.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turbotuner20v &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">seems that '01-'03 are pretty much all the same

and '04+ has a slightly new style and more power

Is the '04 so much better that it would be worth the extra money to pick one up opposed to finding a cheaper '01/'02?</TD></TR></TABLE>

IMO no, not worth it. You're harldly likely to run out of performance vs the new one. Besides, take an 01, then throw the garbage stock suspension away, fit a power commander and pipe plus a decent master cylinder and you'll rape an 04. It is very easy to improve on something if you can be bothered

 

i guess another question would be not which bike is better/faster, but which one is more forgiving for a new rider?

If the '01 is a bit slower, that isn't really a bad thing.. i'm sure it will be quick enough. Also, if the suspension is 'garbage' because it isn't razor sharp, maybe that's a good thing as well.

 

You might be faster, but at least I'll look better, and be going just as fast

But as far as the 04 being your first bike, it was my first bike one year ago. 7,000 miles later, my bike hasnt been dropped, and I'm still intact.....Suspension that is "garbage", is not a good thing

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turbotuner20v &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i guess another question would be not which bike is better/faster, but which one is more forgiving for a new rider?

If the '01 is a bit slower, that isn't really a bad thing.. i'm sure it will be quick enough. Also, if the suspension is 'garbage' because it isn't razor sharp, maybe that's a good thing as well.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

A sorted 01 will rape a bog stock 04. Spend money on suspension and it will pay you back many times better than a fart can will do. I wuold suggest that a 250 or a 400 is more forgiving for a new rider, but then new riders just must have the latest thing to be kewl. Not many people are born quick, it takes time. I think the whole debate on who is fast when you havent got a clue really on the road is pointless. Get a lap timer out, its the only way to tell.

 

Always 04+ 600 for me. The stock performance as well as the appearance is and was more than enough for me to go out and spend the extra money to get the 05 600...once i rode my roomates 04 600 i was instantly sold.

 

Majors things were done to the 04+. Body cosmetics and weight too. If you plan on getting one, look into getting 2004+.

 

IMO, the 01-03 600's headlights looked way better than the new ones.